Bone by Bone

By: Peter Matthiessen

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 22 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

In Bone by Bone, Peter Matthiessen speaks in the extraordinary voice of the enigmatic and dangerous E. J. Watson, whom we first saw, obliquely, through the eyes of his early twentieth-century Everglades community in Killing Mister Watson.

This astonishing new novel, calling to account the violence, virulent racism, and destruction of the land that fueled the so-called American Dream, points an accusing finger straight into the burning eyes of Uncle Sam. Here is the bloodied child of the Civil War and Reconstruction who dreams of recovering
the family plantation. He becomes the gifted cane planter nearing success on a wilderness river when he gives in fatally to his accumulating demons. Powerfully imagined, prodigiously detailed, Bone by Bone is a literary tour de force as bold and ambitious as Watson himself.

©1999 Peter Matthiessen (P)1999 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Matthiessen has created an unforgettable slice of deeply true and resonant American history." - (Publishers Weekly)

"Watson’s voice is an artistic triumph … [Bone by Bone] may well come to be regarded as a classic." (San Francisco Chronicle Book Review)

"Like a true tragic figure, [Watson] knows and understands; he does not wriggle to save his own skin....This is a work of genuine dignity." (New York Times)

Good story line, but a little hard reading

The trilogy was a very good work of writing, with story set mostly in southern Florida in late 1800s to mid 1900s. After reading the first book, I listened to the next two using Audible. Narration was excellent, but at times was hard to listen to. The N word was used throughout, and the was a lot of swearing as well. This is what made it hard, but I also had to take into account the times that this story took place. I recommend the books, just be aware of the language used.

A Little Long...

This was an "ok" book. I found the characters to be real and likeable but there were just so many and the book so drawn out that I would get confused; for example, the main character E.J. Watson meets so many women that he becomes entranced by that I wasn't sure who he was with at any particular time. Should I mention the numerous offspring that he created? It doesn't seem possible.

Over all the story is entertaining but if you are offended by the use of racial slurs this is not the book for you. The author clearly uses the slurs as the people from the era did but it was a bit much at times.

I had originally purchased this audio book because it was in the myster/suspense category but this book does not have much of either.

Still, it was entertaining enough as the narrator does a wonderful job reading. He probably made it more engaging because he does such a good job.

A mediocre book at best.

Compelling from start to finish.

Matthiessen writes in a genial way that kept me engrossed and wanting more. Not normally the subject matter I am attracted to but in this case it has led me to start reading Lost Man's River (I know I am reading a triology back to front). They couldn't have made a better choice than George Guidall as the narrator. He brings the colorful figure of Watson to life and also makes all the other characters sound as they should. You won't be sorry if you choose this book.

Bone by Bone

If you enjoyed Angela's Ashes, I think you would enjoy this novel too. Angela's Ashes for America I guess. The story covers a long period of history of the US that otherwise kinda goes unnoticed.